Monday, August 27, 2001

OUTSPOKEN boss Jan Molby admitted he was lost for words after Kidderminster Harriers gifted ten-man Hull City a simple injury-time winner in a 2-1 defeat at Boothferry Park.

Harriers were hanging onto an excellent away point after Tony Bird's penalty grabbed them an equaliser in a dramatic second-half finale.

But Molby -- and his defence -- watched in disbelief as substitute Rodney Rowe flicked on Mike Edwards' long throw and Gary Alexander pounced from two yards.

It was Alexander's second goal for big-spending Hull after he was given a similar amount of time to head home a centre from strike partner Lawrie Dudfield on 52 minutes.

The game burst into life for the visitors nine minutes from time when Stewart Hadley, on as sub for front-man Drewe Broughton, was brought down by centre-back Justin Whittle as he prepared to shoot.

Whittle was sent off for the professional foul and Bird confidently tucked home his second penalty in as many games to make it four goals this season.

It was just reward for Harriers' best player Bird who had to revert to right-back only 22 minutes into the game after promising teenager Lee Ayres suffered a potential broken foot.

Bird had come closest previously with a free-kick hitting the bar and another tipped over by 'keeper Matt Glennon.

Molby fumed: "I would like to think that once we got the equaliser and they were down to 10 men that we might have gone on to win the game.

"To concede a goal in the manner we did is absolutely incredible. Words fail me. The first goal was exactly the same. They only had one attacker in the box and he's headed in from 15 yards with no challenge.

"I thought we had worked hard against a big, strong side. We had our chances but were unlucky with a few. They did have the majority of the play.

"Losing Ayres early on didn't do our plans any favours but when Bird went to right-back he was outstanding. He's got a lot of confidence at the moment.

"I feel sorry for the fans who have come a long way. I'm sure they would have taken a point and I was quite happy with that but we threw it away."

Harriers 'keeper Stuart Brock kept up his good form with a fine diving save from Jamaican international Theo Whitmore's close-range header.

The visitors, with Danny Williams making his debut in midfield, often defended stubbornly with a 4-5-1 formation but crucial lapses in concentration cost them dearly.

Harriers: Brock 7, Smith 7, Ayres 6 (Foster 22, 6), Hinton 6, Stamps 6, H Bird 8, Blake 7, Williams 6, Bennett 7, Shilton 7, Broughton 7 (Hadley 69, 6). Subs not used: Murphy, Ducros, Davies.

Attendance: 8,835.